Perfectly Presented

Dedication: Love. The best gift of all.

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Perfectly Presented by Berengaria Brown Chapter One Blake Kendrick stood and looked through the plate glass wall at Xavier Kurnow. They were supposed to be meeting for dinner and possibly a hot, sexy romp, but Xavier had been standing and staring at the gift tree in the building's lobby for five minutes now, and Blake's toes were starting to freeze despite his wool-lined boots. Blake pushed open the door and walked into the warmth, stomping his feet to get the blood circulating again in his toes. "Hey, buddy, what's the problem?" "Oh, hi. There's six left. Six! I didn't imagine that would happen." "Huh? Six what? Have you been drinking already? Had a snootful of holiday cheer or what?" Xavier waved at the tree. "Six gift tags. Six kids who no one has bought a present for yet." "What's your point?" "Six kids won't get a gift for Christmas. Today was the last day to take a tag. The people from the charity are collecting the parcels first thing tomorrow. And six kids are not going to get a present this holiday." "So grab the six tags and we'll go shopping instead of out to dinner. We'll just pick up a burger or something." Xavier looked at his friend, pain in his dark gray eyes and a slight flush on his olive skin. "I wanted to get decent gifts. Not a bike or anything like that, but not cheap crap that will be broken in a few hours either. And--" "And you've already overspent your budget. How many tags have you taken already?" Xavier's flush deepened. "Four." Perfectly Presented - 2

"Okay. How about we split them, then? I'll take four and you take two. But I don't have any nieces or nephews, so you'll have to tell me what to buy these kids." "You don't mind? I'm not trying to push you or anything." "You didn't even ask me, I suggested it. But we do need to get moving. The stores will be closing in a couple of hours, and I really want to eat as well." Xavier's face split in a broad grin. "You're a good friend, Blake. There's a huge toy store just a couple of blocks west, and we'll grab a hotdog from a stand on the way." "Deal." *** Fortunately, the staff at the store were used to helping unite people and suitable gifts, and much to Xavier's relief, they managed to get each child a distinctive gift. For a moment he'd thought they'd have to double up on video games, but the store clerk located an updated, trendy version of a popular board game and so they were home free. The store also gift-wrapped -- another big plus in Xavier's opinion. Shortly before ten p.m., he was pressing the buzzer at his building's front door for the security guard to let them in to offload their gifts. "Ah, Mr. Kurnow, I mightta guessed you'd be along with more gifts for the kids. You oughtta find yerself a good man an’ settle down an' raise a couple of yer own." "Oh, no, Sam. I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet. But I do hate to see kids missing out at this time of year. And most of these gifts were bought by Mr. Kendrick, not me." Perfectly Presented - 3

"Pleased ta meetcha, Mr. Kendrick." "Hi, Sam." The men shook hands as Xavier arranged the last of the gifts, tag side up, under the tree. Once outside the building again, Blake turned to Xavier. "That hotdog seems like a long time ago. What say we go to my place and I grill us a couple of steaks?" "Sounds good. I really have worked up an appetite, and it'll give us a chance to talk and catch up on the news. It's been weeks since we last had a meal together, and I'm dying to know how things have been going with you." The two men had met almost a year ago at a business function where the seating had been assigned alphabetically, so they were together for the three days. On the last night, they'd fallen into bed together, and since then they'd remained friends and casual fuckbuddies. Over the year, their friendship had deepened and the sex had continued to be spectacular. Blake had not laughed at Xavier’s desire to give gifts to the children. And even more noticeably, he hadn't pressed Xavier for the reasons behind his actions. Xavier shivered a little as warm and loving feelings ran through him at the sensitivity of his friend. If he asks, I'll tell him. Or maybe I'll tell him even if he doesn't ask. I haven't talked about it in years, and I'd never tell the guys in the office. But Blake… Yep, I reckon he'd understand, and I know he wouldn't tease me. *** "I guess you're wondering about the story behind the children's gifts." "I would like to know why it means so much to you, that's true. But only if you want to tell me. I think you know by now I'd never betray a confidence." Blake's Perfectly Presented - 4

chocolate-brown eyes looked steadily into Xavier's dark gray ones. "I believe we're connected to each other. Not just in bed and not just through that deathly boring conference, but through sharing our lives a bit this year. I've looked forward to each of our dinners." Xavier took a deep breath, put down his fork, and folded his arms on Blake's kitchen table. "My parents didn't get on. Dad wasn't a drunk or a druggie or anything, but he couldn't settle down to a steady job or be faithful to one woman. Not even the one he married. "Mom knew he had girlfriends, although I never heard of him giving me a half brother or sister. Likely he'd learned that lesson. But he'd get a job and work for a week or so, then throw it in and travel a bit, or go off fishing with his buddies or something. Then he'd move back in with us for a month or two, and one morning he'd be off again. From the time I was ten until I was fourteen, I kept a list of the jobs he'd had. I stopped counting at thirty-six. Some of them didn't last more than a single day. "So Mom got most of our stuff from second-hand stores, hand-me-downs from her friends, parcels from charities. I was never genuinely hungry. I'm almost certain there were days when she didn't eat, but there was always food for me even if it was just a peanut butter sandwich. "Holidays were the worst. Other kids went off to camp, or to the beach, or to stay with their grandparents. Mom used to stand in line for hours to get me a free ticket to special kids' things -- a kids' show, or a bus trip, or a pass to a museum. Whatever she could manage. And she did good. I don't recall a single year where I didn't go to something. "But presents were always functional. New clothes or shoes for school. Stuff I needed. There wasn't money for Perfectly Presented - 5

anything else. When I was nine, Dad stayed with us over the holidays, and he borrowed some woodworking tools and made me a pair of stilts. Then he taught me how to walk on them. That year was my best Christmas ever. There wasn't a kid on our block who didn't envy me having those stilts. And I made damn sure I could walk on them better than anyone else, too." "So now you try to make sure some other kid gets a gift he'll enjoy." "Yes. Adults get hung up on providing food and clothes and they're very important. No one wants kids going to bed hungry. But to a kid, toys are what it's all about for the holidays. So... so thank you for understanding." "Thank you for trusting me with your story." Blake stood and walked behind Xavier's chair, resting his hands gently on Xavier's shoulders, then massaging them. Xavier felt his tight muscles loosen a little as Blake’s fingers dug into the tense tissues, working on the knots, Blake’s thumbs pressing and rolling into each bump. Xavier rotated his neck and head, then leaned forward, relaxing into Blake's firm touch. "Hmm, that feels good." Blake moved his hands around, pressing and working all the stiff areas until there were no hard lumps left. His hands stilled momentarily before he slid them down Xavier's back and up under his sweater and shirt. They glided over the taut back muscles, up Xavier's spine and around over his sides, down, then up again. This time his fingers moved around to the solid chest wall. Blake's fingers stilled over Xavier's nipples, the firm little discs already standing to attention. Xavier stood, turned into Blake's arms, and wrapped his own around Blake. "Maybe it's time to move this Perfectly Presented - 6

party into the bedroom?" he suggested. The two men were almost the same height, a mere fraction under six foot, so Xavier tilted his head to the side to kiss his friend. The kiss was sweet and gentle, a brief butterfly touching of lips to lips, until Blake grabbed Xavier's head and held it still so he could lick along the seam of Xavier's mouth. As Xavier opened up, Blake's tongue slid inside, teasing and tasting and testing. First along the insides of his cheeks, then behind his teeth, and finally to tangle and dance with Xavier's tongue. Blake's fingers burrowed into Xavier's black hair where it curled on his collar at the back of his neck. Blake stroked the neck underneath the curls, angling the other man's mouth more fully over his own, then sucked Xavier’s tongue into his own mouth. When they finally drew apart, both men were panting, not just from lack of oxygen, but also from the power and passion of their kisses. Blake pulled Xavier hard against him from hips to chest, his arms like steel bands around the other man. Their cocks rubbed against each other -- two long, hard ridges, their heat obvious even through the layers of clothing. "Want you. Need you," he whispered. "Hell, yeah. I want you, too." "Well, let's go, then." Blake shifted so he had one arm slung over Xavier's shoulder, and together they walked across the room to the hallway, then down the short corridor to the bedroom. Blake's one-bedroom apartment was only a tenminute drive from the city center, so they had spent the night here together several times. The dark wood paneling and deep blue rugs in the bedroom were very masculine, but also warm and welcoming. Perfectly Presented - 7

Blake pushed Xavier down onto the dark blue comforter and said, "Let me undress you." "Only if I can undress you later." "Not sure if I can wait that long. Let's see how we go." Blake kneeled at Xavier's feet and unlaced his shoes, setting them neatly to one side. Then he slipped off Xavier's wool socks and folded them inside the shoes. Holding one foot in both his hands, he used his thumbs to massage the ankle, then the heel, then up the arch of the foot. By the time he was rubbing Xavier's toes, he had an excellent view of his friend's cock tenting Xavier’s pants out as far as they'd stretch. "Like that, huh?" he asked. "Hell, yeah." Blake gently rested that foot on the rug and began to massage the other foot -- first the ankle, then the heel, the arch, and each toe separately. Xavier rested his arms behind him on the comforter, his hips thrust up in the air and tiny beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Hell, that's hot," he gasped. "Well, then, you won't be needing all these clothes, will you?" Both men had removed their jackets and neckties while the steaks had been grilling, but now Blake slowly lifted Xavier's sweater up and over his head, letting it drop down on his braced arms. Next, Blake unbuttoned Xavier's button-down shirt, then smoothed his own hands over the solid wall of Xavier's chest, pushing the shirt off Xavier’s shoulders, where it, too, puddled down on his partner’s forearms. "Yum," he murmured, licking across Xavier's chest from the center to one nipple. He slid his tongue around the areola, making a wide, wet circle. Then he blew Perfectly Presented - 8

directly on the nipple. The hard, flat little nub stood upright, obviously appreciating the attention. Swiftly Blake sucked it into his mouth, giving it a sharp nip with his teeth, then soothing it with his tongue before repeating his action on the other nipple. "Enough!" gasped Xavier, shaking the clothing off his arms. "Any more and I'll be coming in my pants." He wrestled his lover up and onto the bed, pulling Blake on top of him to kiss Blake’s face with fiery passion. Noses knocked, teeth clashed, tongues twisted and tangled, and Blake used his body weight to thrust his cock hard against Xavier's. For long moments their hips writhed against each other while they continued to kiss until they both broke apart, panting. "Damn. I've still got my boots on." "You've got a lot more on than just your boots. Now would be a good time to take it all off." "Yeah, well, you, too." Boots, belts, and pants were flung on the floor, followed by underclothes and the comforter, then the two men were back on the bed and in each other's arms once more. "Damn, it seems like forever since we were together. I'm not going to last long this time. It'll be hard and fast." "Hard and fast is perfect. It's been way too long for me, too." Xavier wanted to say more but was afraid of sounding like an idiot. Was Blake saying he hadn't had sex since the last time they'd been together? Surely not. Blake was much more self-assured than him. Made friends so much more easily. And was a damn goodlooking man into the bargain. Surely he could find a willing partner with the snap of his fingers. He must just mean since he's had sex with anyone, not specifically Perfectly Presented - 9

me, decided Xavier, relaxing into his lover's arms and touch. Blake grabbed lube and a condom from the nightstand, and Xavier used his forearms to hold his legs up high and apart while Blake thrust a slippery finger deep inside his ass. "Feels so very good." "You feel good, hot and tight." Blake added a second finger and rubbed the lube into the walls of Xavier’s rectum. While Blake’s fingers scissored busily in his lover's ass, Blake leaned forward over Xavier's body to kiss him again. Several breathless moments later, Xavier broke the kiss. "That's enough. I'm ready. I need you now." Blake sat back on his heels and rolled the rubber on. Xavier dropped his arms and planted his feet wide apart on the mattress, tilting his hips up high. "Damn but you're hot," muttered Blake, pushing his cock against Xavier's puckered entrance. The broad head of Blake’s cock popped past the ring of muscles and inside as Xavier breathed out, then Blake was thrusting deeper and deeper into Xavier's dark, welcoming heat. Finally he was fully seated inside Xavier and grabbed Xavier’s legs, dropping them on his own shoulders, which tilted Xavier's hips farther and let Blake slide in a tiny bit more. Xavier felt full, stretched. He loved having Blake inside him. The man's cock felt so goddamn good, and Blake knew how to use it to the best effect as well. Xavier grabbed Blake's arms and lifted his hips suggestively. "Time to move." With a wicked grin, Blake pulled his cock almost all the way out of Xavier, then gradually slid back in again. As he pushed forward and in, he bent his head forward Perfectly Presented - 10

and swiped his tongue over Xavier's cock, which was bobbing between their bodies. Xavier groaned. Blake stopped for a moment when he was deep inside, twisted his hips sharply counter-clockwise so that his cock scraped the sensitive tissues of Xavier's walls, and began to withdraw again. Xavier's cock was even taller and thicker now, its head a deep red, and a pearl of moisture sat in the eye. "Yum!" said Blake, swiping his tongue back and forth across the head as he thrust in again. "Hell, you're torturing me," moaned Xavier, pulling on Blake's shoulders. The two men kissed, and they both groaned at the taste of Xavier's pre-come in their mouths. The erotic taste seemed to galvanize them both into action. Suddenly their bodies were welded together, their hips twisting and turning in unison, and Blake was powering in and out of Xavier's ass. Xavier kept a strong grip on Blake's upper arms, his nails digging into the muscles there, his thigh muscles flexing and tensing over Blake's shoulders as their hips pistoned in unison. His cock was leaving a trail of dampness on their bellies as it rubbed between them. Xavier's balls were drawn up tight against his body. He could feel the pre-orgasm tingling starting at the base of his spine. He knew Blake was close to coming from the frantic movements of his partner’s hips and the huge size of the engorged cock inside his own ass. "Gonna come," he gasped. "Me, too." Blake pulled almost all the way out of Xavier, then with a jack-hammer-like thrust, he powered back inside. That was all it took. Both men exploded, Blake into the Perfectly Presented - 11

condom in Xavier's ass and Xavier against their two bellies. Xavier let his legs slide down Blake's arms to rest on the other man's hips, and Blake leaned forward onto his forearms to kiss Xavier. "Shit, we're hot together," he said. "Hell, yeah." Blake sat up, sucked the head of Xavier's cock into his mouth, licked off the semen, then dropped down again to kiss his partner. "Taste yourself on me. You taste mighty good." For long moments they shared the erotic taste, then Blake sat up, pulling Xavier up with him. "Time for a shower, I think." "Sounds like a plan."

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Chapter Two Blake became aware of the cold air blowing over his nipples, making them stand up into hard little points. He also seemed to be sporting huge morning wood. Which was -- interesting -- considering the number of times he'd come last night. And the power with which he'd come. Hot, wet lips trailed up the inside of his thigh and nibbled at his balls, and the last of the fog of sleep cleared from his brain in a flash. "Damn, that's hot." "Well, I looked at the clock and decided there wasn't time for a fuck and for breakfast. I figured I could have a bagel at my desk at work, but your cock was here right now, and it seemed a much tastier way to start the day." "Your tongue is better than caffeine for kick-starting my brain, that's for sure. But if time is so short, we'd better speed this up. Two can play this game, you know." Blake rolled onto his left side, his left leg partially bent underneath him and his right foot planted flat on the mattress, his hips opened wide, giving free access to his cock and balls. "Now that is a pretty sight for an early morning." Xavier flipped himself around, mimicking Blake's position in a mirror-reverse and upside down. For a moment there was silence as two heads bent to the task of licking, sucking, and nibbling the tempting flesh of their partner. As fingers joined lips and tongues in the action, both men started to pant, and little whimpering groans sounded in the quiet bedroom. Blake concentrated on playing with the engorged mushroom head of Xavier's cock. Xavier's cock was long and hard, the skin naturally just one shade lighter than the olive tones of his chest. Like the hair on his head and chest, his genital curls were black, and soft and Perfectly Presented - 13

silky to the touch. The head of his cock was quite wide, flaring over the stalk and making a blunt, overhanging ridge that Blake liked to run his tongue around. Judging by the sexy little sounds coming from Xavier, Blake's efforts were appreciated. Blake nibbled around the head, scraping his teeth lightly across the cap and biting very gently all around the edges. He pointed his tongue and ran it around and around the underside of the cockhead, reveling in the sensation of opposites -- soft and hard, smooth and rough, ridged and flat. Next, he slid his tongue through the eye of Xavier's cock, drawing out a tiny drop of semen and savoring the flavor. Xavier always tasted delicious -- salty and tart with an underlying hint of spice. Finally he relaxed his throat, sucking as much of Xavier's penis as he could into his mouth. His hands fed more and more of the cock in, until the head bumped the back of his throat and, even tilting his head right back, he couldn't take any more. Then he sucked with all the strength in his cheek muscles, and gradually let it slide out, running his tongue up and down the stalk as he did. All the while, his fingers played with Xavier's balls, stroking and rolling them, cupping and palming them, feeling them harden and move up closer to Xavier's body. Concentrating on pleasing Xavier was getting more and more difficult, though, as Xavier was working his own magic on Blake's cock and balls. Blake’s own cock was full and aching, and the warm, wet heat of Xavier's mouth was torture. He wanted to come so much, but didn't want the party to end just yet. He let Xavier's cock slide out of his mouth again and murmured, "Damn, you're good. My dick is gonna explode real soon." Perfectly Presented - 14

"Mine, too. Your mouth should be listed as a lethal weapon." Blake sucked Xavier in again, this time running his teeth up the side of Xavier’s cock from root to head. Instead of fondling his partner’s balls, though, he let his fingers slide down to Xavier's dark hole and pressed his thumb inside. Xavier must have been reading his mind, since just at that very moment a fingernail pressed firmly against the sensitive skin behind his own balls, and nails scraped around his anus. He sucked Xavier's cock deep and hard as his own penis exploded into Xavier's mouth. Instantly, his own mouth filled with the hot taste of semen as Xavier came, jetting delicious streams of essence against the back of Blake's throat. Together, both men pulsed and spasmed for long moments, then Blake pulled Xavier up into his arms for a passionate kiss, sharing their unique flavors. "That's so hot, tasting myself on your mouth and tongue." "Absolutely. You’re the best breakfast I’ve ever had," agreed Blake. *** Xavier kept thinking about Blake saying it had been "way too long" since he'd had sex. Neither of them had ever made any kind of commitment to the other. They had been thrown together at a conference neither of them had wanted to attend, and which had been pretty much a waste of time. Xavier's company had sent him along for one particular session, to which he had arrived early, taken copious notes, talked to the presenter after the session, bought the MP3 of the workshop, and genuinely exerted Perfectly Presented - 15

himself to make the company feel it had gotten its money's worth out of the event. Blake, on the other hand, had been sent along by his general manager simply because the opposition was attending and the GM wanted to seem on top of his job. Blake had dutifully signed up for a raft of workshops and seminars, stood around conspicuously at meet-andgreets, made sure his company's promo materials were always in a highly visible place, and tended to disappear as soon as each session began. For some unexplained reason, the seating at all the formal events was assigned alphabetically, so they had spent many hours sitting next to each other, and by the end of the three-day conference had become friends. What had been originally intended as a one-night stand had lengthened into an ever-deepening relationship, which included hot sexual encounters that Xavier looked forward to very much. In fact, if he was honest with himself, his friendship with Blake had become the most important and most meaningful thing in his life. But is that what Blake is hinting at, too? Or am I reading too much into a casual comment during sex? When they were just a few minutes away from Xavier's office building, he took hold of his courage and asked, "Are you doing anything special on Christmas Eve?" "No. My extended family makes a big deal of Easter, so everyone gets together for a big party then. Christmas Day, I drop in and visit my folks, phone a couple of old friends, maybe catch up with my siblings. But I don't have any special commitments on Christmas Eve, apart from drinks at work in the afternoon. Why? Do you want to hang out together after work?" Xavier sucked in a deep breath, gripped his hands together tightly in his lap, and said, "Mom and I always Perfectly Presented - 16

used to go to the city square for Carols by Candlelight. It was a really big deal for me when I was a kid. Staying up 'til midnight, watching the celebrities come on stage, seeing the huge Christmas tree, even singing stupid, girly carols. Although it's a few years now since Mom passed on, I still like to go. I wondered if..." Blake pulled the car into a parking space close to Xavier's building. "Yeah," he said softly. "I'd like to come. I even know most of the words to those carols, though I would never admit it as a kid. I recall singing, 'Splash the walls with kerosene' at the top of my voice one year. Got my butt spanked for that!" "Oh, yeah. And 'We three kings of Orient are/sitting on a rubber cigar.' Mom didn't appreciate that one when I sang it! I'll phone you," Xavier said, unbuckling his seatbelt, opening the door, and jumping out of the car. He stood at the curb and waved goodbye while Blake pulled out into the traffic. Blake waved back quickly as he left. Xavier hurried through the lobby and ran up the stairs, nodding to Sam as he passed by, and noticing a group of people boxing the gifts under the tree. Just as well we brought them in last night instead of waiting until this morning, he thought. He stopped off at the break room to grab coffee and a bagel, then continued up another flight of stairs to his desk to begin the day. Only a week until I see Blake again! *** Both Blake and Xavier were off work from the afternoon of Christmas Eve until the second of January, but despite a flurry of emails and phone calls, they had not been able to decide on how to spend the vacation time. They had tossed around ideas such as a cabin in Perfectly Presented - 17

the woods, a few days in a city motel, or just time out in restaurants and at movies, but everything had disadvantages. The weather was quite unreliable at this time of year, and neither of them wanted to get snowed in away from home. And really what they wanted to do most was fuck. Talk and fuck. Eat and fuck. Maybe go to a movie and fuck. But mainly fuck. Since Blake could make his phone calls from anywhere and the carol-singing in the city square was Xavier's choice, Blake left his car at his apartment and went to the city square by bus, with a change of clothes in a backpack and a carefully thought-out gift stored down the bottom of the pack. He was wearing a heavy wool sweater under his thick coat and wool socks inside his fleece-lined boots. His brown hair was hidden under a knitted cap, and a scarf and gloves completed his outfit. All I need is some skis, he grinned to himself. But it does feel kind of good to be doing something different, and spending time with Xavier is becoming more and more important to me. I don't know, somehow we just jell. We really are becoming true partners on the deepest level. I'm so glad we fell into bed that night. It was the smartest thing I've ever done, I reckon. Blake made his way through the crowds over to the area where Xavier had suggested they meet. And there he was, looking very seasonal and delicious is a bright red, fluffy cap and scarf over a deep bottle-green coat. Without thinking, Blake pulled Xavier into his arms for a hug. "You look good enough to eat." "You do, too. Happy holidays!" "What happens next?" "We need to decide where we want to stand. It gets pretty crowded by about nine p.m., so Mom and I used to aim for about halfway back toward the center where Perfectly Presented - 18

we'd have a decent view of the big screen in case people prevented us from seeing the stage and the tree. Mom was so excited the first year they had the big screens up. Until then, we used to try to get a spot where no one could block our line of sight, but we weren't always successful." "You don't bring chairs?" Blake waved at people sitting on lawn chairs and folding stools. "When I was very small, Mom used to bring a rug for us to sit on, but no, I'm happy to stand. If you get tired, we can--" "No, I won't get tired. I can stand up for a couple of hours easily. It'd just be one more thing to look after." "That's why I suggested a backpack instead of a duffle or case. So much easier to carry around." "Yeah, good point." Blake wanted to take Xavier into his arms and hug him again, then back Xavier against the nearest wall and fuck his partner’s brains out. This event obviously meant so much to Xavier, and Blake was totally thrilled to have been asked to share it. It was a real demonstration of how much deeper their relationship had gotten. I won't betray his trust. "Thank you for inviting me to come with you tonight. I can already feel the atmosphere and excitement of the crowd. I know this is going to be really special." "Yeah. Kids' dreams. It's all about the kids, really, isn't it?" "That's exactly right. No adult should spoil their innocence, and their hopes and dreams. Anything is possible when you're a kid. The world is big and exciting and full of unexplored adventures." "And when you are older?" Xavier's dark gray eyes stared deep into Blake's chocolate-brown ones. Perfectly Presented - 19

"There are many exciting possibilities still to be explored then, too," he answered softly. *** They laughed their way back to Xavier's apartment, swapping childhood holiday memories and alternate versions of holiday songs. But underneath it all, they both knew their relationship had broken through the barriers into a new and deeper level. As soon as Xavier opened the door to his apartment, Blake smelled something enticing. Two quite different, but equally appealing aromas. "A tree! You have a live tree! And gingerbread. You baked gingerbread!" "Yeah, I thought we might be a bit hungry by the time we got back here. But it's way too late at night to be eating anything heavy, so gingerbread seemed to be the truly seasonal choice." "Perfect. I can't remember how many years it is since I've eaten homemade gingerbread." The men hung their coats and scarves on the hallstand, and Blake left his backpack there, too. Then they walked through into the living area. Blake went over to look at the ornaments on the tree while Xavier moved into the kitchen. "Coffee coming up," he said. Blake just nodded. "You know, so many of these ornaments are straight from my childhood, too. The clay star, the paper chains, the orange ball. All from elementary school." He picked up a rather unevenly crocheted angel doll. "You made the angel, too?" "Broke a finger playing basketball, and nearly drove Mom mad because I couldn't get gloves on over the splint, so I wasn't allowed to play outside for weeks. In desperation, she taught me to crochet, so yep. That's what I made." Perfectly Presented - 20

"Is that when you learned to bake gingerbread, too?" "No, I actually taught myself to make it as a surprise for her one year. Took me half an hour to figure out the recipe and two hours to clean the kitchen afterward!" Xavier joked. They sat and sipped coffee and nibbled the gingerbread, but Blake’s mind had turned from the past to focus very much on the present. Blake jumped up and walked to his backpack. Rummaging in its depths, he brought out a gaily wrapped gift. "I wanted to get you a toy. But a more grown-up sort of toy." "Thank you. I got you something, too. Shall we open them together?" Blake nodded, so Xavier went into his bedroom, returning with a tiny box that he offered to Blake. Xavier opened his gift slowly, carefully peeling the tape off the paper, then smoothing the wrappings and folding the paper neatly into quarters. Inside the bubble wrap was a sleek, black desk clock which could be programmed to leave messages or tell the time -- the letters and numerals floating in the air between the double peaks of the clock. "Oh, that is so cool. I'm going to be the envy of the office with this!" Inside the tiny box Xavier had given Blake was a black agate cock ring sitting on a crushed white velvet lining. "That's great. Totally awesome. Oh, we're going to have a lot of fun with this," Blake said, lifting it up and sliding it over three fingers. Then they just looked at each other, and suddenly the room was filled with a sexual haze. Without speaking, they rinsed their mugs and placed them on the sink, then clasped hands and walked into the bedroom. Blake pulled Xavier into his arms. "Damn, man, I want you. Thank you for sharing your past with Perfectly Presented - 21

me. It was very special. Now, I want to make love to you. The complete you. The boy you once were and the man you are now." "I want that, too. I feel so complete in your arms. So now, just fuck me, please." Their heat and need exploded. Both men started ripping their clothes off, scattering them on the floor as they raced to be naked. Xavier flung the bedclothes off, jogged into the bathroom, and returned with lube and condoms, while Blake stacked the pillows against the headboard. He leaned back against the support, his legs wide apart, feet planted flat on the sheets. "Lie across my belly," he ordered. They had played this game before. Xavier grinned and replied cheekily, "Maybe I don't want to." "Bad boys get spanked." "Well, then, it sounds like bad boys have all the fun." "I like the way you think. And I'm pretty sure you'll like what comes next." Smiling, Xavier stretched out across Blake's lap, making sure to rub his cock across Blake's as he wiggled into place. He rested his head on his crossed forearms, his face turned toward Blake so he didn't miss any of the expressions flitting across his lover's face. Blake ran his hands gently up and down Xavier's spine, enjoying the feel of the muscles and tendons moving under his palms. He rested his hands on the taut, muscular, almost flat ass and smoothed the skin. Then, without signaling his plans, he cracked one hand down sharply on the left buttock. Blake followed this with more slaps on the right cheek, then two on the left, and one on each upper thigh. Xavier wiggled his butt to indicate he was ready for more spanks, but Blake was busy lubing his fingers. Perfectly Presented - 22

Blake slid a slippery finger deep into Xavier's anus, while his other hand played around the puckered rosette. The heat inside Xavier's dark channel was clenching and grasping at Blake's finger as he stroked along the walls. Reluctantly, he pulled the finger out and drizzled more lube into the hole, then slid two fingers inside this time, scissoring them and working the lube into the tissues. A bead of sweat gathered on Blake's forehead, then dripped onto Xavier's back. "Sexy," mumbled Xavier, moving his hips with the stroking of Blake's fingers. Every wiggle made Xavier's cock drag its damp head over Blake's thigh. Blake was finding it harder and harder to concentrate on lubing Xavier's ass with his cock doing such erotic things to his own leg. Finally, he was satisfied that the tissues were stretched and soft enough. "On your hands and knees," he ordered. While Xavier slid off his lap, torturously dragging his cockhead across Blake's legs, Blake reached onto the nightstand for a condom and quickly covered his shaft. Xavier was poised and ready, looking over his shoulder and watching Blake with eyes that were hazy with lust. Blake's breath hitched as he wrenched his own eyes from Xavier's and scanned over his lover’s broad, muscled shoulders, down the long line of Xavier's olivetoned back, across that taut, pinkened ass to the welcoming rosette of his puckered hole. "Damn, you're hot! I can't wait a moment longer to be inside you." "Well, come on in, then. That's what I want, too." Xavier's voice was husky with repressed need. Blake couldn't wait any longer. His cock was so hard he could pound nails, and he was sure his balls were turning blue with the need to slide into Xavier's welcoming ass. He kneeled behind his partner, gripped Xavier's hip with one hand, and used the other to guide Perfectly Presented - 23

his aching dick into Xavier's hot hole. He pushed the head of his cock into the entry and felt the muscles there grip him tightly, yet open enough to let him in. Once the head breached the sphincter muscles, the rest of his cock slid easily into Xavier's ready channel. "God, that feels good. I want you so much." Blake stretched his body out over Xavier's, leaning his chest onto Xavier's back and rubbing his nipples across the broad, muscled expanse of skin and sinew. He let go of Xavier's hip with one hand and slid that hand forward over Xavier's defined hip bone, into the groove between his thigh and his torso. As Blake slowly slid his cock out of Xavier's ass, he matched the movement with his hand, rubbing it across the other man's pelvis. Then, as he pushed back inside, he pressed his hand down over Xavier's flat belly, through the dark groin curls, and gripped Xavier's cock. Finally, with one hand holding tight to a hip and the other holding equally firmly to Xavier’s cock, Blake began jack-hammering in and out, his thrusts as hard and deep as he could pound into his lover. Xavier was braced on the bed, his weight solidly on his knees and forearms, his hips thrusting in time with Blake's, pushing to take every inch of Blake's cock inside him. Blake could sense Xavier's excitement rising from the thrusts against him, from the way Xavier was twisting his head and neck, and from the heat of the cock in his hand. A cock that was throbbing and pulsing in time with their actions. Sweat was slicking Blake's body now. His muscles were tense with the effort of holding off his own climax until his partner came first. He ran a fingernail over the head of Xavier's cock. The heat coming off it was incredible and it was still growing in his hand, but the Perfectly Presented - 24

pulsing vein and weeping head clearly demonstrated how close Xavier was to coming. Frantically, Blake swiveled his hips, dragging his cock along the sensitive walls of Xavier's rectum as he withdrew. With all his strength, he pistoned in deep and hard, burying himself to the hilt. "Blake!" yelled Xavier, his cock exploding over Blake's hand and his own abdomen. Gratefully, Blake let go his iron control, let the orgasm he'd been holding down with all his strength fly loose. It roared up his spine, erupted out his cock, and almost blew off the top of his head. He pumped deep into Xavier's ass, once, twice, thrice more, then let his body sag down over his lover’s. Gently, he leaned forward to press a row of kisses across Xavier's sweaty shoulders. Xavier lifted his head from the sheet and twisted under Blake so he could grab him and kiss him deeply. For long moments their mouths pressed together, then tongues were diving in for a taste, hips were pressing into each other, hands were rubbing and massaging arms and shoulders, backs and sides, and unbelievably Blake felt his cock, so recently slipped out from Xavier's ass, start to harden again. "Holy fuck, you'd make a dead man rise." "See what you’re doing to me, too? We really need to get cleaned up. How about we move this into the tub and see what develops?" "I've seen your tub. Are you sure there's room for two?" "It'll be cozy. Neither of us is small. But then a tight fit is always best, right?" "Nice double entendre." Blake slapped Xavier's shoulder as they disentangled themselves and padded into the bathroom. While Blake disposed of the condom, Perfectly Presented - 25

Xavier turned the hot tap completely on in the tub and threw in some green bubbles. "Bubble bath?" "Pine-scented. Why should chicks get all the good stuff, eh?" They settled themselves in the tub, one up each end, cross-legged to make enough space, and chatted idly about the carol singing, past holidays, and the next few days. But the sexual tension never faded away, and both of them had semi-erect cocks standing up out of fluffy, pine-scented bubbles. "You've heard plenty about my childhood. Tell me something about yours," asked Xavier. "Absolutely typical middle America," replied Blake. "Dad shuffled paper in an office in the city. Mom worked part-time as a secretary at the local elementary school and was always around to cook and clean and drive us kids to soccer and Scouts. I've got a brother and a sister, Charles and Hillary. They always said I was the spoiled baby, but I used to think they ganged up on me and would never let me do any of the good stuff they did. Despite all that, we've remained friends, but not a close family. "Mom and Dad bought a cabin out on the lake, and they stay up there about eight months of the year. Dad fishes a lot, and Mom sews costumes for the local theater arts group up there. They seem to have a lot of friends they hang out with. Their health is pretty good. "My holidays were quite similar to the ones you talked about other kids having. We'd go on vacation every second year, and the off year we kids would spend time with our grandparents, or maybe go to camp. It wasn't a bad life for a kid, really, although I did feel totally pissed off the year I was eight. I wanted a bike for my birthday so bad, and I was devastated when I Perfectly Presented - 26

didn't get one. What I didn't know was my grandfather was doing one up for me for Christmas, so I got it then." "I recall you said you didn't have nieces or nephews. Are Charles or Hillary in a relationship?" Xavier asked a little tentatively. "Hillary is. She's been with Andrew for about ten years now, and she'll be thirty-three next year so her biological clock will start ticking soon. I reckon they'll have a kid in the next year or two. Charles -- who knows? He loves to travel. I think he sees his job as just a way of collecting enough money to fund his next trip overseas. But having said that, he's very personable and seems to have plenty of friends of both genders. But settling down? I don't know if he will." They were both silent for quite a long time, then Xavier unfolded his legs, stretched them out, and rested his feet on Blake's thighs. Blake put his arms along the side of the tub, uncrossed his own legs, and settled them onto the base of the tub, underneath and inside Xavier's legs. The two men looked at each other, and level of steaminess in the small room increased exponentially. Lust exploded between them. Their eyes caught and held, while Blake pushed his right foot against Xavier's balls. He let his toes wiggle up and down, gently massaging and scraping the balls. Then he slid his foot down a bit so it would rub against Xavier's ass, again wiggling his toes and sending his pulse fluttering and his heart pounding with sexual tension. The look on Xavier’s face showed he was feeling the tension too. Xavier copied him, sliding a foot into the dark curls at the base of Blake's cock and running his toes through the hair there -- backward and forward, backward and Perfectly Presented - 27

forward, slowly and steadily, firmly enough to raise goose bumps but not hard enough to promise a climax. "Do you think it's possible to jack someone off just using your feet?" gasped Blake. "Dunno, but we could certainly try." Toes moved more purposefully on cocks and breathing hitched in both men. Suddenly Blake pushed Xavier's feet aside. "Nah. I need to hold you. I need more body contact." Suiting action to words, he stood up splashily and hauled Xavier to his feet, too, sending water rolling up against the sides of the tub. Both men quickly stepped out of the tub, and Blake dropped to the floor, sitting on a fluffy towel. He pulled Xavier onto his lap and into his arms, wrapping both arms around the man and pulling him tight to his chest. Xavier responded by gripping Blake's thighs with his legs and digging his calves and heels into Blake's back so they were held tightly together. Xavier grabbed both cocks in one hand and rolled and twisted them against each other, using his palms to increase the pressure on them equally, then sliding his hands up and down while still keeping the two cocks pressed together. "Fuck, that's hot." Blake loosened his arms just a fraction so Xavier could get a bit more leverage, and thrust up with his hips to keep the penises side by side. Up and down went Xavier's hands, gripping and twisting, squeezing and pulling, always ensuring the effect was heightened by both cocks being entwined. Blake was thrusting his hips harder now, and lowered his arms so they gripped Xavier's hips, holding and massaging Xavier’s sides and hips, and ass. "Love your ass," he whispered, placing a kiss on Xavier's forehead, Perfectly Presented - 28

"Love you," replied Xavier, squeezing both cocks hard. At those words, Blake exploded, semen jetting from his cock into the air and over both their chests. Xavier stroked up and down once more, but there was no need; his own dick was already spurting its seed. Simultaneously, both men leaned forward to kiss the other. "Well, damn. Now we really need a bath," joked Blake.

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Chapter Three After such a late night, it was mid-morning before they woke, and Blake made his round of phone calls, using the speaker function on his cell, while Xavier scrambled eggs and grilled bacon. "Your mother has made the biggest apple pie I've ever seen. Bring your friend around this afternoon when you come," Blake's father suggested. Blake raised his eyebrow at Xavier, who nodded. "Sure, Dad. See you about three, then." "Come with a big appetite, boy." The older man laughed, ending the call. "Are you okay with that? We won't need to stay long, but I always drop in for maybe an hour," said Blake. "That's fine. You spent three hours with me in the cold last night. An hour eating apple pie is not much for me to do in return." "The food will be good. I have to say that for Mom. She’s not all that interested in cooking, but whatever she makes tastes great. And these eggs are mighty fine, too. I don't mind cooking, but the cleaning up afterward is such a drag, I don't make the effort to cook as often as I should. And living in the city, there are so many excellent restaurants. Such a great variety of different cuisines and traditions and styles of food." And the conversation was back on familiar territory as they discussed their favorite restaurants and dishes. On the way to the Kendricks' house, Xavier stopped to buy a nice bottle of wine and a spray of poinsettias. "They're so pretty. I hope she likes them." "She will. She loves flowers, and the wine will be perfect to drink with the pie, so it's all good." *** Perfectly Presented - 30

The afternoon flew by. They talked and laughed, ate apple pie, drank wine, ate more pie, drank coffee, and were getting ready to leave when Hillary and Andrew arrived, and the talking and eating began all over again. When they were finally saying their goodbyes and Blake was speaking to his father, Hillary hugged Xavier. "I'm so glad to meet you at last. Blake has talked about you for months now, and I know he genuinely cares for you. You're perfect for him. You have my blessing." She giggled a bit, then said, "Seriously. You're a perfect match. You'll make him very happy. And I do believe he will make you happy, too." "I-- Er, thank you-- Um--" Hillary just smiled and gave him another hug. Mrs. Kendrick pressed a soft, squishy parcel into Xavier's hands. "Happy holidays, Xavier. I look forward to seeing you again. We'll be up on the lake by Easter. Perhaps you and Blake will be able to spend a few days with us then." Once again Xavier was at a loss for words, mumbling his thanks. Blake's arm came around his shoulder. "We haven't talked about it yet, but Easter might work. We should be able to come up for day or two then. " As they walked out to Xavier's car, Blake said, "I'm sorry if they were moving a bit fast for you. In a way, we've been together for a year. But I guess in another way, it's really only a week or two. Want me to drive? And are you going to open that gift?" Still in a daze, Xavier nodded. Blake had explained that his family gave their main gifts for birthdays and just small, holiday-appropriate things at Christmas, so he hadn't expected a present. He carefully unwrapped the silver paper, and inside was a fleecy, hand-sewn ski Perfectly Presented - 31

sweater, in a deep golden-tan color that would look perfect with his hair and skin tones. Blake shot a glance at it as he drove. "Told you she makes costumes for the theater arts group. Not bad with a sewing machine, my Mom." "It's beautiful. And exactly the right size and color. How did she know my size?" "I may have mentioned you in conversation a few times." "May have mentioned me? Including my chest measurement?" "Well, not exactly. Just in a general sort of way." "Uh-huh. Define 'general sort of way.'" "You are special to me. Mothers guess these things. And I may have said more than I thought I had." "Uh-huh." Xavier forbore to tease any more, but from this beautiful gift and from what Hillary had said, it was becoming obvious Blake's entire family knew about him. And instantly he realized it felt good. It felt good to belong to a family again, even though it was only a second-hand association with a family. And it was reassuring, too. Blake had never said, "I love you" to him, although he knew the other man's feelings ran deep. Today had merely demonstrated just how deep his feelings were. Xavier relaxed. He knew he was falling in love with Blake. Okay, had fallen in love with Blake. It was good to know those feelings were reciprocated, not just in his mind and wistful imaginings, but in real life as well. "I'll stop teasing you. I like your family. They're good people." "And you don't mind coming up to the lake for a few days when the weather is warmer?" "No, actually, I'd really like that. It's the kind of thing I always wanted to do as a kid, and it'll be nice to finally Perfectly Presented - 32

sit on a beach chair and watch kids playing in boats and on the sand. Although I have to tell you right now, I don't know how to row a boat and I'm not sure I want to learn. But if someone catches fish and cooks them, I daresay I'll eat their catch." They both burst out laughing and settled into their usual comfy chatting for the rest of the trip back to Xavier's apartment. *** "I want to spend hours in bed making love to you, hours and hours just touching and tasting you. We've spent so much of the day with other people that now I want you all to myself," said Xavier. "Okay. Let me make a pot of coffee and put it on the warmer so we can have it whenever we want it. I can't imagine either of us needing to eat again for a while." They moved around the apartment getting organized, undressing, making sure there were plenty of condoms and lube beside the bed. Then they slid under the warm blankets together and snuggled up face to face. Blake twined his legs around Xavier's and pulled him hard against his chest, then pressed his lips to Xavier's mouth. "I do love you. I guess I have loved you for a long while and simply hadn't realized how important you were to me. I knew how much I looked forward to our meetings. I never looked at another man after that first night with you. But it wasn't until the night of the gift tree that I truly understood how strong my feeling for you had become." Xavier drew his head back a little so he could stare into Blake's eyes. "It was the same with me. You've been the only man for me all year. I knew I wanted you desperately, but saw you as the kind of man every man Perfectly Presented - 33

would want. It never occurred to me we could truly belong together. But then I told you my story, and you understood me. You didn't sneer, or laugh, or brush my needs aside. And then I knew what I felt for you was more than sex, more than admiration; it was genuine love. And I’m ready for us to move in together, if that’s what you want, too." "Absolutely, it’s what I want, what I need, and crave. Over this holiday, let’s work out where we go from here. I guess the first thing to decide is whether we move in together to your home or mine, or whether we get a new place that is distinctly ours. I'm not tied to my apartment in any special way. It's convenient so close to the heart of the city, but that's all. How about you?" Xavier thought for a few moments. "I'm the same. My home is simply cheap, clean, convenient. I'd be quite happy to move. Plus, with two of us living in a place, it'd be nice to have an apartment that’s a little bigger. Two bedrooms so we can set one up as an office or TV room, maybe. And I've always wanted to own a pet. A small dog or a cat. It just hasn't been feasible in a onebedroom apartment, not fair to the animal to be so confined." "Awesome! I've always wanted a cat, or maybe two kittens, one each. So yeah, tomorrow we can go online and start looking at apartments to find something we both like. Then make a trip to the shelter to look for a cute furball or two. But for now, I think it's time to concentrate on something else. God, how I want to fuck you and fuck you and fuck you some more." "Hmm, sounds like a plan." Xavier pushed his hips into Blake's and dragged his cock from side to side across Blake's pelvis. "Every time you do that, I burst into flames!" Perfectly Presented - 34

Xavier continued the gentle swiping of his cock, deliberately tangling it with Blake's as he used both hands to hold Blake's head still for a kiss. The kiss started very softly and gently, the merest butterfly touch of lips against cheeks, nose, eyelids, chin, ear lobe. Mouths together now, Xavier, licked along the seam of Blake's lips before his tongue infiltrated Blake’s mouth. Then Blake took over, sucking hard on Xavier's tongue before breaking the suction to slide his own tongue along the insides of Xavier's cheeks, across the roof of Xavier’s mouth, and behind Xavier’s teeth. Xavier hooked his upper leg over Blake's hip, enabling him to grind his cock across Blake's thigh while running his foot up and down the other man's calf. He flipped Blake onto his back and sat up astride his thighs where he could play with their two cocks. Cocks that were hard and hot, the heads red and Blake's already with a pearl of moisture in the eye. While Xavier played, Blake reached across to the nightstand to grab the condoms and lube. He handed a condom to Xavier, who rolled it down Blake's shaft, then lay back between Blake's legs, his own legs hooked over his elbows, opening his puckered hole up for Blake to lube. Blake easily slid two slippery fingers inside to massage the cool gel into Xavier's hot walls. "You're always so ready, so welcoming," he whispered. "Yeah, you're so hot I always want you. I just have to look at you and my dick is standing to attention. I reckon I've had a chronic case of zipper burn ever since we met." "Well, the obvious solution is to move in together and fuck like bunnies every night. And that plan is underway, so it'll either kill us or cure us." Perfectly Presented - 35

"Likely kill us, but what a way to go." "So true." Blake dropped the lube onto the nightstand and gently tugged on Xavier's arms. Xavier released his legs and aimed his hole at the engorged, sheathed cock Blake was holding still. Xavier wiggled as Blake pushed, and soon the head of Blake's cock was disappearing inside Xavier's rectum. " I don't think I've ever seen anything hotter than watching my dick slide into your ass." "Feels mighty good, too." "Gonna feel even better right soon." "Oh, yeah." All conversation stopped then as Blake slid in to the hilt, paused for a few moments, then began to slide out. Xavier rolled with the movements, gradually sitting more upright as Blake pulled out, then slamming his butt down hard and sitting fully upright, forcing Blake's cock as far in as it would go. Xavier locked his legs around Blake's waist, Blake pressed forward, and the two began a powerful thrust and retreat motion using their entire bodies to push Blake's cock in and out of Xavier's ass. The muscles on their arms corded and rippled, the veins standing out with tension. Sweat slicked their bodies, the occasional drop falling from one head or another onto the other man's torso. Ripped chests brushed against each other, causing nipples to stand up like diamond-hard points. Breathing rasped, thigh muscles tensed. Almost by osmosis, Xavier knew Blake was on the brink of orgasm, just as he was himself. Simultaneously, they thrust their hips together, pelvises clashing and grinding. Blake grabbed Xavier's hair and pulled his Perfectly Presented - 36

head over for a harsh, teeth-clashing kiss. Xavier's fingernails dug deep into Blake's shoulder muscles. With deep groans, both men came, cocks spasming and pulsing jets of thick, white semen. They clung together for long moments, then kissed more calmly, tenderly. They disentangled their bodies and went to the bathroom to clean up. This time, they stepped into the shower together, soaping thoroughly, sponging each other's backs, shampooing each other's hair, then stepping to the side so each could rinse off properly. Xavier rubbed a big, fluffy towel over himself briskly, then returned to the bedroom and put fresh sheets on the bed. Then once again they snuggled together under the blankets and held each other in their arms. "If we're going to keep having sex a dozen times a day, this apartment we look for needs a few other things," said Xavier. "Yeah?" "A nice big shower so we can both fit in together comfortably. Maybe one with a seat for extra fun and games." "Sounds very nice. I'll keep it in mind." "And space for a washer/dryer. We're going to have a lot of laundry to do." Xavier leaned over and kissed Blake.

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Perfectly Presented Copyright © 2010 by Berengaria Brown All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 978-1-61040-122-7 Torquere Press: first electronic edition / December 2010 Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. http://www.torquerepress.com

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